DETAILS:
The Oxnard police department is investigating a string of commercial robberies that occurred to North Oxnard businesses between the evening hours of 7/15/14 and the morning of 7/16/14. Oxnard police detectives believe a suspect that is currently in custody for an attempt robbery, is responsible for the recent commercial robberies.

The first commercial robbery occurred on 7/15/14 at approximately 2242 hours. Officers responded to a commercial robbery at Subway, located at 1941 North Rose Avenue in Oxnard. According to witnesses, a suspect entered the business and demanded cash from an employee standing at the register. Fearing the suspect had a weapon, the employee gave the suspect money out of the register.

The second robbery occurred on 7/15/14 at approximately 2259 hours. Officers responded to Food for Less, located at 150 West Esplanade Drive. An employee told officers that the suspect demanded money from the cash register. The employee feared he would be harmed, so the employee handed the money over to the suspect and the suspect fled the business.

The third robbery occurred on 7/16/14 at approximately 0928 hours at the Home Depot, located at 401 West Esplanade Drive. The suspect walked up to a cashier as if he was going to purchase an item. When the cashier opened the register, the suspect took the money from the register and fled.

The fourth robbery occurred on 7/16/14 at approximately 1007 hours at the Vallarta Supermarket located at 2690 Vineyard Avenue. The suspect entered the business and confronted a cashier. The suspect demanded the cashier give him the money from the register. The suspect fled the business after taking the cash.

The Oxnard police department made an arrest in an attempted robbery that occurred in the cafeteria portion of Saint John’s Hospital, located at 1600 North Rose Avenue. The attempted robbery took place on 7/16/14 at approximately 1105 hours.

According to witness statements, the suspect entered the cafeteria and confronted a cashier demanding money from the register. The cashier called for security and the suspect fled. A security guard followed the suspect out of the hospital and notified the police.

Oxnard police officers responded to the area of North Rose Avenue and Gonzales Road looking for the suspect. Officers and detectives observed a person running from the immediate vicinity of the hospital, which matched the description of the attempted robbery suspect. The person was detained and identified as Salvador Raymond Medrano, a 39 year old Ventura County resident. Medrano was positively identified as the suspect who tried to rob the cashier in the cafeteria. Oxnard police detectives believe Medrano is responsible for the recent string of commercial robberies that occurred at Subway, Food for Less, Vallarta Supermarket and Home Depot. Detectives are still working on gathering evidence to officially charge Medrano with those crimes.

No one was injured during the commission of these crimes.

UPDATE: As of 7/18/14, Salvador Medrano has been officially charged with four counts of robbery (Subway, Food for Less, Home Depot, Vallarta Supermarket). Medrano was already in custody for attempted robbery.

If you have any information regarding these robberies, please call Detective Scott Coe at (805) 385-7796. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. Or, contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Visit the web site http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.